“Disputed Elders Advisory Committee Is Not Party Exco” – Group Tells Akala

“Disputed Elders Advisory Committee Is Not Party Exco” – Group Tells Akala.

The Integrity Group, in the All Progressives Congress(APC) of Oyo State has advised former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala to suspend the meeting of his “Elders Advisory Committee” which has been slated for Friday. They encouraged Governor Akala to work with the Chairman of the party and zonal leaders who were mandated by the Stakeholders of the party to fine tune the proposed Zoning arrangement for the party.

The group, in a statement signed by its Convener, Mr Azeez Ajiboye, on Wednesday, expressed worries that former Governor Akala has sent out invitation to members of the allegedly disputed Advisory Committee to a meeting on Friday where they are to announce a zoning formula for the party ahead of the state congress scheduled for Saturday.

The Integrity Group stated that the Elders Advisory Committee has been disputed and remained controversial among members of the party since its controversial creation at a peace meeting in September 2020.

“It’s not a gain saying that the Elders Advisory Committee had been disputed by members of the party since the attempt to establish it in Ibadan on September 2020. Its meetings had been boycotted by important sections of the party

“But even if the committee has been accepted by all,it is only an Advisory Committee that will be advising the executive committee of  the party and it is not a parallel executive

“We therefore call on former Governor Akala to stop arrogating the power of party executive to his disputed Elders Advisory Committee. On the zoning arrangement, they can advise the executive committee of the party. They cannot decide for the party. The Stakeholders meeting which held on Monday had representatives of all strata  and tendencies within the party  in attendance. The meeting had resolved that the party Chairman and seven zonal leaders should consult the former Governor and the two surviving deputy governors. There is no role for the disputed advisory committee. The involvement of the committee will only muddle the water. Former Governor Akala should respect the resolution of the Stakeholders meeting and he should not create further confusion in the party,” the group reiterated.